My Mom

[Marvin Mattelson]

Beautiful and sensitive. My only suggestion wold be to have less variation of values in the shadow areas, in particular her cheek. This will further strengthen an already powerful effect.

[Josef Sy]

Lovely. I am very sure she will love it.

[Holly Snyder]

Hi Hannah - I did take artistic liberties with this one. She looks at least 10 years younger than in real life, but I don't think she'll mind : ).

Thanks Jimmie - But there's always something to be learned, and I can only hope to always be learning it! True to form, Marvin (who has an amazing eye), gave me a pointer. If I'd posted in the Unveilings, I probably wouldn't have learned that little bit of info.

Mike - I think part of the why this works is it is a very simple palette, with a complementary color harmony (red/pink and green/blue), with the red/pink dominant. Can you tell I have Chris Saper's book? I used alizarin crimson, terra rosa, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna (just a touch), burnt umber, and flake white.

Marvin - Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks all,

Holly

[Richard Huante]

Lovely portrait, Holly. I can't see anything else to critique. I remember you were working in acrylics; you seem to have transitioned to oils rather successfully. Great job!

Sincerely,

[Linda Brandon]

Holly, it's so good to see your work back on the Forum. This is a very beautiful painting - I can tell that you're getting much softer edges with oil than you did with acrylics.

Two things I especially like about this painting are your Mother's hair and her facial expression.

I personally dislike burnt sienna in flesh tones (try Gamblin's Transparent Red Oxide instead) but you've managed this well.

What a wonderful Mother's Day gift!